The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has opened applications for its 2026 Young Professionals Recruitment Programme, providing qualified young professionals from ECOWAS member states an opportunity to join the regional development finance institution as Young Trainee Professional Staff.

The programme offers an initial two-year fixed-term appointment, with participants rotating across departments and receiving professional development under the supervision of senior EBID staff. Subject to satisfactory performance during the six-month probation period, the appointment may be converted into an open-ended contract.

Applications close on October 30, 2026.

EBID is the development finance institution established by the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Through the Young Professionals Programme, the Bank recruits qualified young graduates and provides practical exposure to different areas of its operations.

Selected Young Professional Trainee Staff will work across different departments under the guidance of senior staff, gaining experience in the Bank’s activities, policies and programmes.

Eligibility

The programme is open to citizens of ECOWAS member states who meet the recruitment requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be under 30 years old at the time of recruitment.
• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a field relevant to EBID’s activities.
• Be able to work effectively in a multicultural environment and under pressure.
• Have good analytical and organisational skills.
• Be able to plan, prioritise and conduct professional research.
• Have good knowledge of office applications, including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• Be fluent in English, French or Portuguese, with working knowledge of at least one of the other two working languages.

The programme covers disciplines connected to EBID’s operations, including finance, accounting, economics, audit, risk management, business administration, law, engineering, information technology, human resources, infrastructure, private sector operations, public sector operations, communication and marketing, language services and other fields relevant to the Bank’s activities.

Programme benefits

Successful candidates will be appointed as Young Professional Trainee Staff under an initial two-year fixed-term contract.

The programme provides departmental rotations, supervision by senior EBID staff, exposure to the Bank’s policies, programmes and operations, and professional development within a regional development finance institution.

It also includes a six-month probationary period. Where performance is satisfactory during probation, the appointment may be converted into an open-ended contract, making the candidate a permanent member of EBID staff.

The Young Professionals will be appointed under Grade P1-1 conditions of service. The advertised package includes applicable salary and allowances, such as post-adjustment, housing and transport allowances, as well as a family grant where applicable.

Participants will also have access to pension scheme membership and insurance coverage. The programme is therefore a paid employment opportunity rather than an unpaid internship.

Application requirements

Applicants are required to submit an application dossier containing:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae.
2. Copies of academic and professional qualifications obtained.
3. A copy of a national identity card or passport.
4. A copy of a birth certificate.
5. A motivation letter.

The motivation letter should state the applicant’s reasons for participating in the Young Professionals Programme, areas of competence or professional interest, relevant experience and career prospects.

How to apply

The current recruitment notice requires applicants to submit their application dossiers in paper form. Applicants should not rely on an online application form for this recruitment.

The complete dossier should be placed in a sealed envelope marked:

“2026 Young Professionals Recruitment Programme”

The envelope should be addressed to:

ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)
128, Boulevard du 13 janvier
B.P. 2704
Lomé – Togo

Applicants are expected to ensure that their hard-copy applications reach EBID by the stated deadline.

Selection process

Only shortlisted candidates will proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to EBID headquarters in Lomé, Togo, for written and oral assessments covering technical skills, potential, personality, motivation, computer skills, verbal communication and written communication.

Candidates will also be assessed on their verbal and written communication abilities in at least two of EBID’s three working languages: English, French and Portuguese.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate both their technical competence and their ability to communicate effectively within EBID’s multilingual working environment.

The deadline for the 2026 EBID Young Professionals Recruitment Programme is October 30, 2026. Applicants using postal or courier services should allow sufficient time for their physical application dossiers to reach EBID before the deadline.

Key details

• Programme: EBID Young Professionals Recruitment Programme 2026
• Organisation: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development
• Eligible countries: ECOWAS member states
• Age: Under 30 at recruitment
• Minimum qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent
• Contract: Two years, with six-month probation
• Potential outcome: Conversion to open-ended employment subject to satisfactory performance
• Location: EBID headquarters, Lomé, Togo
• Application method: Hard-copy application dossier
• Deadline: October 30, 2026

Eligible candidates should prepare their complete application dossiers and submit them in a sealed envelope marked “2026 Young Professionals Recruitment Programme” to EBID at its Lomé headquarters.

Applicants can also review the Bank’s current employment opportunities before submitting their documents through EBID Employment Opportunities.

Source: msmeafricaonline